The main character, Elijah's role, is the one who's supposed to save the world (at least that's what I gather), and the "fellowship" of ragdolls all band together on a perilous journey amidst huge monsters and vast landscapes. Only there's no ring, or humans.

I'm just so glad that Elijah's a part of a CG animated movie that's going to throw a wrench into the CG cliche, and hopefully pave the way for more creatives branching out of these "little boxes". I couldn't put it any better than Elijah says in this video, and that makes me love him all the more. Maybe this will make up for that "Happy Feet" atrocity.

BTW, I actually enjoyed Happy Feet, and at the time, the CGI used in that was one of the best examples of it. Even if you look back at it now, the animation was and still is amazingly realistic.

I'm not talking about realism, however. As far as films go, that's one of the "little boxes" that CG films these days have been fitting into - they have to look realistic, straight forward (as in nothing visually abstract), or have huge eyes, be funny and be made for kids. There are so much more and better things you can do with CG than just try to copy real life exactly- you might as well just use live action. From a story standpoint, I thought Happy Feet was weak, and then got way too preachy and political not to cringe (even though I agreed with the message).

Off topic - but I don't mind watching a film that fits into a 'little box' every now and again. For all that Happy Feet was conventional, I still enjoyed it - it was fun. I guess to each their own.

On the subject of 9 - in the interview Elijah said something along the lines that 9 was sort of innocent, and that reminded me slightly of Frodo too - meant to save the world but not really knowing how to go about it.

Ragdoll 9: Aborning hero, good-hearted, thoughtful, and sincere, will easily risk his own life to save othersNo coincidence there, huh?

Ragdolls 3 & 4: Curious but shy

I must admit, these two were hard to figure out. There are qualities in the twins 3 & 4 that doesn't apply to Merry and Pippin, one of which is running away from danger. But who knows? Maybe 3 & 4 will find their courage too.

Ragdoll 9: Aborning hero, good-hearted, thoughtful, and sincere, will easily risk his own life to save othersNo coincidence there, huh?

Ragdolls 3 & 4: Curious but shy

I must admit, these two were hard to figure out. There are qualities in the twins 3 & 4 that doesn't apply to Merry and Pippin, one of which is running away from danger. But who knows? Maybe 3 & 4 will find their courage too.

wow, that is wicked cool! wow...haha. lotr and 9 do have a lot in common, eh? i can't wait to see 9!

I noticed at the part where they put number 2 on that board thing and float him off down the river, they fold his arms across him, and then it shows like the exact same shot as in LOTR, with Boromier in the boat. Like, looking down into the boat from above, as it passes by. I think that particular shot is only in the extended edition maybe though in LOTR. But, I thought that was cool.